Sailor Moon - The Order of Black

Chapter Twenty Three: Decisions

Originally published 17/08/2015

Endymion breathed in deeply, taking in the scent of wild grass and spring. There wasn't a building in sight; this was nature as Gaia always intended…and it was good. He galloped across a vast, untamed prairie on horseback, following another man in familiar, gold-tinted armour; Paladin Smythe, Exalted Knight of the Undying Sun. After their own meeting – far from his father's eyes – Endymion agreed to accompany him on a foray into the borderlands. He needed to see things with his own eyes and gain a deeper understanding of the situation, so he might better convince his father to finally see reason.

"There!" Smythe called, pointing forward. "In the distance!"

Endymion leaned forward on his mount and spotted a plume of smoke. "There are settlements this far out?" It was no wonder the witch and her minions preyed on such far-flung villages; his father's armies were days, if not weeks away.

"Gilgannon, Your Highness," Jadeite said from his left, as he studied a cloth map intently. He was yet another close friend and adviser, like Nephrite. "A small farming village."

His brown-haired guardian grunted as his own mount carried him closer. "Barely a dot on the map. I doubt it even has a guardhouse."

The smoke left little question there was trouble ahead. Endymion grit his teeth and urged his steed on, following Smythe in. They passed through sprawling fields of wheat and corn before entering the village centre. It became readily apparent just how small it really was; the prince counted less than ten buildings…and most had been razed to the ground. He was aware of an ominous silence as he dismounted. There were no birds, no insects; even the wind itself had grown still. The only sound at all was the gentle crackle of flames as the huts smouldered around them.

"Such destruction," Jadeite murmured, as he slid off his own horse. "So brutal, so complete..."

Endymion took a step forward and cringed at a sudden snap beneath his boot; charred remains littered the ground all around them, little more than piles of blackened bones. The urge to retch rose in his throat, a most unpleasant scent filling his nostrils; that of burning flesh.

Smythe took a knee over what had clearly once been a child. "Too young. Far too young."

"These were simple farmers," Endymion said quietly, bending down to retrieve a burned doll. "They had no gold to give, nor weapons to defend themselves. Such senseless slaughter…and for what?"

"There is no purpose in this beyond fear," the Paladin muttered. "It proves your father impotent. It proves his fear, his unwillingness to venture beyond the safety of Elysion's walls. This is not the first village I have seen razed like this, Your Highness. Such carnage is spreading little by little, too quiet for the rich and powerful to notice. Too far from the capital and their precious holdings too care. The people remember, too; your father may find he has many more enemies before all is said and done."

"What of your men? Can they do nothing to stem the tide of destruction?"

"See for yourself." He gestured to another ragged pile of bones, strewn about a familiar gold cuirass. "We are dedicated, Your Highness, but we are still only mortal. Our Knight-Commander recalls us but the kingdom is vast and we are far too scattered to be truly effective." Smythe shook his head sadly. "I know this is not the last of my brothers I shall find like this."

Another wave of nausea washed over Endymion, threatening to spill the contents of his stomach all over the ground. He turned away, hoping to strengthen his control, and found Nephrite crouched by another corpse, eyes closed in deep concentration.

"There's a strange presence here," he murmured, his fingertips tracing over the soil. "It's wrong; it shouldn't be here. It's foreign. Dark." His eyes opened slowly as he stared up at the sky. "Evil."

"My father is a selfish fool." Endymion could no longer muster even a modicum of respect for the man. "I cannot believe he sits idly by while these people, his subjects, suffer and die-"

Jadeite's terse warning cut him off mid-sentence. "Your Highness! Behind you!"

The young prince whirled about and froze in terror. A dark, hulking mass emerged from one of the ruined huts, ducking under the doorway and into the light. It stood at least seven feet tall, its imposing frame covered in a dense layer of shaggy, black hair. Its head was little more than a wide, gaping maw filled with row after row of rotten, yellow teeth. Beady black eyes locked on them from above as it let out a terrible howl, sending a chill down Endymion's spine.

"Youma!" Smythe cried, as he drew his large, two-handed sword.

His call jolted Endymion into action again, and he drew his own blade. "Youma?"

"One of Beryl's creations," the knight explained. "Born of dark magic and blood. They are evil to the core!"

It took a step towards them, heavy enough to shake the very earth beneath their feet, before lashing out at Nephrite. An accomplished swordsman, he took the hit on his blade…and was still staggered by the force of the blow. "Its claws are like steel!"

Jadeite moved to his defence, slashing at the creature from its flank. His blade sank into its flesh but the attack only seemed to anger it. An over-sized hand swung out in retaliation, sending the blonde man hurtling into the side of the hut. As it stepped towards him menacingly, Paladin Smythe moved in with his free hand raised.

"Virtue's Flare!" A small blast of flame poured over the youma, setting its thick hair alight. He parried a return swing with his sword and cut into its arm, drawing thick, black blood from under the skin. The creature snarled angrily and lashed out at him repeatedly, finally making contact with his pauldron.

Endymion stepped up beside him and took its next blow on his own sword. A painful shockwave ran up his arms and into his shoulders; the beast was strong indeed! His distraction succeeded in giving Smythe a chance to recover and together they forced the creature back with a flurry of rapid strikes. It snarled and slashed at him again, tearing into the thin armour over his shoulder; if felt like the hit from a labourer's hammer, not to mention the pain as his skin was torn open.

A purple blast slammed into the side of its head; one of Nephrite's astral blasts. He followed up with another cut from his sword but the youma had already recovered. It caught him off-guard with a surprise charge and raked its claws across his chest, knocking him to the ground.

"Virtue's Flare!" Smythe hurled another ball of flame right into its face.

The youma reeled, clutching at its eyes, leaving Endymion an opening he couldn't afford to waste. He lunged forward, ducking under another wild swing as he stabbed up and forward with his sword. It thrust into the roof of the creature's mouth and through to its brain. A quick twist stopped the beast moving, and it fell backwards with a final pitiful whimper. The prince sighed in relief, tugging his sword free and wiping it clean on its fur.

The Paladin dropped into a crouch, lifting the creature's arm carefully before letting it drop again. "A good kill, Your Highness. The people of this village can rest easy knowing they have been avenged."

"Perhaps," Endymion said quietly, letting his gaze wander over the destruction around them again. "I hope so, at least."

Smythe pushed himself back to his feet with a heavy sigh. "I fear this is only the beginning. This same scene has been repeated across the kingdom countless times over, and things will only continue to get worse. My order is scattered, our numbers thinned by this crisis. We must have aid, Your Highness, it is that simple; we cannot deal with Beryl alone."

Endymion nodded slowly and extended his hand. "I shall do all I can to aid you and your order in this quest, Sir Smythe. My father will listen. He must."

Mamoru sat up with a weary sigh. His eyes locked on the clock, revealing the truth he already knew. Less than five minutes had passed since he lay down on the couch, and little more than an hour since he had returned home from the shrine. Since he'd last seen Usagi. The call was unexpected but he could hardly ignore it when it did come; he loved her, regardless of their current status, and he meant every word he'd said. He would always be there for her.

The dreams were as vivid as ever; he could remember the scent of burning flesh, the pain from the youma's strikes. It was all leading to a conclusion he didn't like; Beryl's rise to power was anything but rapid. The Golden Kingdom knew what was coming…and it did nothing. His father did nothing.

As he swung his legs off the couch again, Mamoru realised something was amiss; he wasn't alone in the apartment. His eyes snapped over to the full-length windows behind him…and the flaming figure standing before them, staring out at the city.

"I've seen you before," he recalled, rising slowly to his feet. "In another dream. When Smythe came before my father for the first time."

"Indeed, Endymion," it replied, making no effort to face him. "You begin to see the truth at last. The witch's rise was not the surprise you believed it to be…but the rich and powerful care little for those beneath them." There was an odd touch of melancholy to its voice. "Little has changed in this world of glass and steel."

"Who are you?" Mamoru felt no fear, strangely enough. If anything, his visitor exuded an odd sense of warmth and calm.

"You are not ready yet. There is still much for you to learn. Much for you to see. You must witness your own folly, your own fall from grace. Then, perhaps you will be ready to begin again." There was a brilliant flare of light, like staring into the sun itself…

…and Mamoru woke up on the couch once more. He checked the time as he had before and found the same thing; barely five minutes had passed. It was all a dream, he realised. All of it. As he rubbed his tired eyes he reflected on what was said. Queen Serenity had told Usagi that Metalia took Earth by surprise…but his dreams seemed to contradict that. I was right in the middle of it. I knew it was happening. Why didn't I stop it? Surely I could have convinced my father to send out his armies after seeing such a creature with my own eyes!

He leaned back against the couch and sighed again, knowing he would get no more sleep that night. The figure spoke of his folly. His fall from grace. What was it?

"It's obvious," he said softly, as it came to him. He'd said as much to Corey, guessing his past without knowing for certain. "Serenity…"

Rinjirou brought his pistol to bear, his voice a commanding growl. "Don't move!"

His opponent failed to heed his warning; the Cleric thrust his hands forward and hurled a ball of fire down the corridor towards him. Rinjirou pressed himself against the wall as it passed, feeling its heat on his skin. So, they really can throw fire! He pushed off once clear and raised his pistol as the robed man formed a second fireball. There were no other options; he dropped him with two bullets to the chest.

Just like the Hunter the night before, Rinjirou felt no remorse for the life he'd taken. This was a fight; sometimes people died. But what would Rei think? He forced such thoughts from his mind as a new sound echoed down the corridor; a pair of boots, approaching fast. He took a few steps back into an adjacent doorway and shrouded himself with Shadow Walker. Best to see what I'm dealing with first.

The boots grew closer, clearly a single set, and slowed; a sign of caution. Sure enough, it was one of the grunts he'd encountered the night before. He stepped past, weapon drawn, and approached the Cleric's prone form. The bruise on the side of his face marked him as the man he'd interrogated in the security room. Sorry, friend, Rinjirou thought, but today isn't starting off much better for you.

He did consider shooting him in the back of the head. It was the safest option and, Paladin or not, he was a member of the Order. That made him the enemy. Something stopped him, though. Not regret or remorse…but shame. Killing this man was unnecessary, yet he considered it as a first option. That was the same kind of cold response that had disappointed Rei so much, and he knew he couldn't continue to think like that. The Order had stripped him of his guilt at some point, and it was high time he began work on getting it back. I'm a person, he decided, not a weapon. I can kill if it's necessary…but now is not such a time.

His mind made up, Rinjirou stepped out behind the grunt and pressed his pistol against his head. "Be cool, friend, and drop your weapon."

"Oh, shit." The grunt complied immediately, tossing his own pistol to the floor. "Twice in twenty-four hours? You've got to be kidding me!"

"Don't be too upset," Rinjirou countered. "This is your lucky day."

"Really? How do you figure that, traitor?"

He gestured to the Cleric. "I already killed him, but you're still alive. If you behave yourself you might even stay that way." His hand slipped into the duffel over his shoulder, retrieving the zip-cuffs he'd prepared for just this eventuality. "Hands behind your back."

The grunt was clearly not amused as his hands were secured. "What do you want now?"

"The way I see it, the Order owes me a new set of armour and weapons so I'm here to collect." With a none-too-gentle shove, Rinjirou started him towards the stairs. "We're going to the armoury. Lead on." He moved cautiously, listening carefully for any other signs of other soldiers. "Anyone else here?"

"No," his prisoner replied bitterly. "They're out cleaning up your mess."

Rinjirou nodded gently. That was good; it meant he should have the time he needed. They'll have to secure the scene, probably with fake police identification. The issue there is the need to fool the real police by using their own procedures…which are time consuming. They finally arrived at a reinforced door free of any markings, a lone keypad the only other thing in view. "Access code?"

The grunt remained stubbornly silent, just as he had the last time.

"Really?" Rinjirou sighed irritably and pressed his pistol against the man's knee. "I don't want to hurt you, but I will if you don't start being a little more cooperative." The threat of violence was usually more than enough; he doubted he'd actually have to make good on it.

It only took a second for the grunt to prove him correct. "Okay, okay! Oh-three-oh-two-nine-one."

"It'd be a real shame if that triggered some sort of lock-down. For you, I mean."

"It won't," he assured him. "Just take what you want and go!"

Rinjirou punched in the code and was rewarded with a faint click as the door unlocked. He pulled it open and gestured with his pistol. "You first. Take a seat on that ammo box over there." With some sense of satisfaction he set the duffel down on the floor and quickly filled it with a new chestpiece, another set of gauntlets and boots, and a second pistol with plenty of extra ammo. Next came the far more difficult choice; replacing his daggers.

The selection wasn't quite what he'd hoped for, but he eventually settled on a pair of tantōs; their balance was a little different from what he was used to but they were light, easy to wield, and reminded him of his mother's weapons. Rinjirou chose western-style blades his first time around to avoid any reminder of his Japanese heritage, but now…he didn't fear it the same way. It almost seemed right to honour her, knowing what he did now about her fate. I still don't know if she was real or not, but she helped me get back on track last night. It seems like the least I can do.

The Order even had a proper pair of sheaths for his new blades, which he appropriated as well. The whole ensemble joined the rest of his new gear in the duffel; if all went as planned he wouldn't have need of them for a long time. Rinjirou slung the bag over his shoulder as he approached the grunt and stopped before him.

"I want you to give the Order a message for me. Make sure it gets to Lawrence Haim and the rest of the Council."

His captive frowned. "What message?"

"Tokyo is off-limits from now on," he said coldly. "Come for me, or anyone I care about…and it'll be war. I will use everything I know about the Order to help bring it to its knees. Understand?" He left without another word, sealing the grunt in the armoury behind him. The duffel was fairly heavy on his shoulders but it was worth it; he had what he needed if the Order did come for him again. Once he was back on the street, he pulled a familiar cloth parcel from his back pocket and studied it with disdain.

"Just one more stop to make."

"Corey!" Usagi broke into a run, closing the gap between them quickly; it was practically impossible to mistake the tall American for anyone else. She came up behind him and tapped his shoulder. "Hi!"

He turned quickly and smiled. "Hey, Usagi. You're actually on time today."

"I'm not late that often," she grumbled, nudging him good-naturedly. "What about you? It's been so long since I saw you around campus, I figured you must have dropped out!"

He rolled his eyes. "Not yet."

Usagi fell into step beside him as they continued down the street. "So, things have been a little crazy lately, huh? I haven't even had a chance to ask how you and Minako are doing after your…talk."

Corey shrugged. "We're great, actually. I'm trying to be less standoffish, and Minako's making a good effort at holding in some of her crazier impulses. I mean, hell, we haven't fought about anything else since Mako's door...and even that wasn't much of a fight."

"I still can't believe you let that go," Usagi said, with a giggle. "Minako's got you wrapped around her little finger, doesn't she?"

"Oh, don't you worry," he replied, with a devious smirk. "She'll pay. Somehow."

"I highly doubt that."

"We'll see." He pulled up at a pedestrian crossing and studied her quizzically. "Dare I ask how you're handling this break with Mamoru? You two seemed pretty cosy again last night."

That was a difficult question. It had been good to see him after a few days without so much as a call, but it only reinforced that they weren't together at the moment. "We're…we have an understanding but we're still..."

Corey grimaced. "Sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up."

"No, it's fine." Usagi steeled herself and searched her heart for the right words. "We're…Mamoru is still discovering himself. Or something."

"Do I detect a note of bitterness in your voice?"

She glanced up as the light changed and began to cross the road. "After nearly six years together I'll admit I was surprised when he said he needed space." Her finger came up in warning as Corey began to speak. "Yes, I know I was the one who put us on break in the first place, a fact I do not need to be reminded of!"

"I wouldn't dream of it," he assured her. "I was just going to tell you not to be too hard on him. I got a little heated myself when he asked for advice, but knowing what he's going through I can…" He let his head fall forward a little. "I suppose I can understand how he feels."

"You?" Her nose wrinkled in confusion.

Corey nodded slowly. "My life is undeniably better now than it was a couple of years ago, but I…I'm not sure who I am anymore."

"You're Corey," Usagi said, laughing again. "Did you bump your head this morning?"

He shot her a look of mock irritation. "That's not what I mean. I know I'm Corey McLeod. I just don't know what that means, or who that is anymore. The way Mamoru doesn't know who he used to be...or what that means for the person he is now."

"How so?"

"I was an angry teen," he admitted. "My dad walked out on us when I was fourteen and I spent most of the next year pissed off at the world. That's when Titus found me, and for the next three years I was a one man army waging war against the Dark Kingdom as Guardian Justice. My life as Corey was just a cover for my night-time activities. I figured things would be different once I came to Tokyo, but now I am here…it isn't what I expected."

Usagi was puzzled by this sudden turn to wistfulness. "I remember you were expecting friends...and we are friends, aren't we?"

"We are," he agreed. "That's not the problem. I just…I think I forgot how to be Corey along the way. I don't know who I am anymore. What my interests are, my hobbies. What I want to do with my life. If I'm honest, mechanical engineering doesn't interest me in the slightest...and it's getting harder for me to pretend I care."

"You don't say. Worst cover story ever. You could barely muster any enthusiasm for it when we first met!" That led her to an interesting question, though. "What would you do instead?"

"I don't know. Everything seems kinda pointless after you find out you're the living avatar of Justice."

Her brow furrowed. "Maybe you could study law?"

Corey laughed again. "It's not that kind of justice, Usagi…and I doubt I have the grades to get in anyway."

"Oh." She snapped her fingers as another idea formed in her head. "You should take Political Science like me!"

"I don't think so."

"No, hear me out!" Usagi countered. "If I understand your former role correctly, you acted as a sort of…well, a guardian of justice. You ensured everyone was treated equally, you fought my mother on certain issues…that sort of thing. You were almost a politician."

Corey replied with a pained groan. "Please don't call me that."

"If you're going to help sort out the world's problems you'll need to know how it all works…and that is why I took Political Science. You should too; it makes sense."

"I guess it does…in a twisted sort of way." He didn't sound particularly enthusiastic, but at least he'd listened.

"Just give it some thought." She slowed to a halt as they reached the university gates and pulled him aside, out of the path of the other students. "On a related note, perhaps you could give me a little advice? The way you used to advise my mother."

"Sure," Corey said, with a shrug. "What's on your mind?"

"I'm not sure if it's exactly justice related," Usagi clarified. "Just a decision I've been struggling with over the last few days."

"Shoot."

She took a deep breath. "Titus thinks we should retaliate against the Order of Black. He suggested I should send in the Outer Senshi to destroy that Sanctuary…where they're making the Constructs."

"But you're not sure that's the right call," he concluded.

"Right." Usagi hesitated a moment, unsure of exactly what to say. "I don't really want to escalate our conflict further but they seem intent on coming after us. After the fight with that Hunter last night…"

"You're right; it's not really a matter of justice." Corey waited a moment for a cluster of students to pass before locking his emerald eyes on her. "It's a matter of respect. The Order of Black have attacked us directly now. Perhaps, before this latest incident, we could have just let things slide; they seemed to be after Rinjirou, not you, but their priorities have obviously changed."

The blonde nodded mutely; it was difficult to argue, given the Hunter's words. I don't know how she got the idea we murdered her friend, though. We haven't killed anyone.

His jaw muscles worked silently for several seconds. "The way I see it, you have two choices; sit back and wait for them to act the way we did against the Revenant Knight…or kick in their front door and make it clear we won't tolerate any further aggression."

"Just like that?"

"Just like that," Corey agreed. "The Order of Black may have their reasons for distrusting us, but we know they're wrong. Sometimes the only way to stop a bully is to knock them on their ass."

"But what if it leads to further conflict?" she asked quietly.

"We've done nothing to them," he reminded her, "And they've attacked us twice. I'm sorry to have to say it but further conflict seems like a given. Better we set the tone than sit on our hands waiting for their next move." The American blanched as he checked his watch. "Damn, I'm gonna be late. I'll see you in the cafeteria around twelve?"

Usagi nodded absently, still mulling over his words. "See you then." Corey was right, at least with his assessment of the Order's actions to that point. They were going to keep coming regardless of what she chose to do. His words on inaction resonated with her, though. I swore during the battle with the Revenant Knight that I wouldn't let myself become a victim again…and I feel exactly the same now. Titus was right; I do not want the Order of Black returning to Tokyo with Construct reinforcements. It would seem she was edging closer to a decision...and the Outer Senshi closer to action.

Rei tied her robes tight around her waist and stretched a final time. After a few hours' rest she felt a lot better, her thoughts on the previous night's events clearer. She regret her response to Rinjirou's actions the night before. There was something in his reply, his confession of apathy, that she hadn't recognised until the morning; sorrow. Was he sad he didn't feel?

A miko's role is one of guidance, she thought bitterly, but I didn't do any of that last night. I ran away when he needed me the most because I was scared. I have to find him today. I have to help him come back from this.

Rei had a confession of her own, after all. One made last night to Usagi. Somehow, she liked Rinjirou. It seemed impossible given how their association had begun but it seemed obvious even to her. She couldn't tell him that, though; he'd think she was an idiot. Telling Minako was out of the question, too; Rei would never hear the end of it.

She headed for her door and the courtyard beyond, planning her morning. Chores were chores; she couldn't skip them but she could afford to skip classes just this once. There was something far more important to do. She had to find Rinjirou and tell him...

"Wait…" Rei spoke aloud without planning it. She could feel a familiar presence now. Cold, subdued. It's him. The miko rushed out into the sunlight…

"Good morning, Hino-sama." Rinjirou stood before her grandfather, rising from a formal bow as his hand disappeared into his back pocket. "I have something for you. Something I took from you."

The old man nodded faintly. "I know."

"I don't know why I took it, really. There was a whisper in my mind...what I now realise was Chaos. It doesn't excuse my actions, though, and I'm sorry."

The priest accepted the small fabric wrap and bowed his head. "Did you use it?"

Rinjirou's response was equally sombre. "I did."

Grandpa let out a gentle sigh. "I won't lie, Rinjirou. You may pay a terrible price for your actions last night."

"I understand."

Rei couldn't hold back any longer. "What price?" They both looked up as she marched over. "Answer me! What price?"

Rinjirou looked away immediately. "It's nothing."

Thankfully, her grandfather was a little more forthcoming. "One Chaos Sliver alone is dangerous, but two? There's no telling what effect it may have had. It certainly exposed him to Chaos' call, and may even have accelerated the damage to his mind. How much exactly is difficult to say."

"Idiot," she murmured, concern coming before even anger.

"So be it," Rinjirou said firmly. "It saved Rei's life, Hino-sama. That's all that matters to me."

"You did that…for me?" Rei stepped forward without thinking and punched him in the chest. "Idiot! Why couldn't you just leave that stupid thing alone?!"

He still refused to meet her gaze, staring silently at his feet.

Grandpa raised his hands quickly. "It's not a guarantee! The fact that Rinjirou was able to remove it again at all is unusual, and may point to some form of natural resistance. It's not unheard of. Those of the Watchful Eye are selected for similar reasons."

"No," Rei said softly, as she remembered what happened. "That's not it. You were in a rage, utterly fixated on that Hunter. You stopped…because I told you too. You listened to me. You…listened."

At long last he looked up at her. "Because you were right. I was out of control and if you hadn't been there to stop me…I would have killed that Hunter because I wanted to. Not because I had to."

It was a chilling reminder of how close to the edge he was only a few hours earlier, one Rei would be happy not to have.

"I was telling the truth last night," he admitted. "Pulling the trigger was an easy choice. I didn't feel a thing."

Her eyes narrowed slowly. "Why tell me that again now?"

"Because you made me wish I had. Last night, for the first time in a very long time I was…ashamed of myself. I've killed many times before, Rei, but you're the first person who's ever made me think about it again afterwards." Rinjirou swallowed slowly as he stared into her eyes. "I'm sorry I disappointed you."

Rei shot her grandfather a dirty look as he nudged her gently…but he was right. Rinjirou's making an effort and I could at least meet him halfway. "Well, I suppose I didn't really thank you for saving my life last night. Or keeping my secret."

"And you never have to. It was the right thing to do." He hesitated again and looked away. "And if I really think about it, I…I didn't do it entirely for selfless reasons."

Is he about to say what I think he's about to say? Rei's heart felt as if it actually skipped a beat, a fact she found incredibly annoying. "What do you mean?"

"Last night, I hit rock bottom. I lost my best friend, Megumi; the Order of Black took her just like they took everyone else I ever cared about. When the Hunters came for us, I just…I couldn't let them take you too. You're…"

She found her lips suddenly dry. "I'm…?"

"You're…" He shuffled uncomfortably as he struggled for words. "I mean, I think I…"

"Gods, are you always this slow?" Rei thought she knew what he was trying to say…and she decided to give him an out. There's plenty of time for that later. "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised; you were stupid enough to jam a piece of Chaos into your hand, after all!"

Rinjirou seemed stunned…for all of a second before he retaliated. "It saved our lives, didn't it?!"

She was sure she caught the hint of a smile before he was able to mask it. "That doesn't make it any less stupid!"

"God, you're annoying," he muttered, folding his arms across his chest.

"I'm annoying?! Take a look in the mirror!"

Grandpa sighed heavily and ambled off towards the shrine, muttering as he went. "So stubborn…"

Rei couldn't resist a faint smile of her own as she continued exchanging barbs with Rinjirou. Maybe he couldn't say what he planned on…but that was okay. She probably wasn't able to say it, either. All she knew was, for the moment, she was glad he was back. Luna was right; it would all sort itself out in time…and it was even beginning to look that way.

AN: Another relatively small-scale chapter but one that put the last few pieces in place to move forward. Rei and Rinjirou got to begin their reconciliation, and hopefully in a way that makes sense with their existing relationship. Neither is quite able to bring themselves to confess how they feel and it seemed quite in character for Rei to give him 'an out' by starting an argument.

Usagi and Corey's talk was a way to kill a few birds with one stone, including her struggles with retaliation and Corey's own subplot over his lack of identity outside of being Justice. Minako obviously feels there's enough to him for her to love but he isn't so sure; that should be an interesting subject for me to explore, even if he isn't so much of a focal point this time around. The Outer Senshi will reappear in a chapter or two, as well - I didn't mean for them to drop off for so long but other more important characters took up the word count!

And Mamoru's plot continues moving along. I really wanted to explore the Silver Millennium era some more, as well as Earth. It's an area that doesn't get a lot of focus in most sources and it just seemed incomprehensible that everyone was caught completely off-guard by Beryl and Metalia. Maybe it's alt-history but it's a way to get Mamoru back into prominence AND power him up like his manga counterpart. Plus, fights with youma are really helpful for tossing in some action in a chapter that's mostly talking!

I hope it wasn't TOO slow for everyone. Let me know what you thought with a review or PM, of course. Back with the continuation shortly!

Lisseas